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Senate Obamacare Deal Has 60 Votes, but That May Not Be Enough

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

By Michael Rainey

October 20, 2017

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The bill to stabilize the Obamacare exchanges, written by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray (D-WA), now has 60 votes — including 12 Republican co-sponsors — but it still has a long way to go to become law. For one thing, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), who leads the crucial Finance Committee, is not a supporter. Hatch has called for more radical changes, such as eliminating the individual mandate and some insurance-related taxes, telling Talking Points Memo: “I’m concerned we’re just perpetuating a bad process. They want to do it for another two years. I’d rather face the problem now.” The other big challenge is President Trump, who has sent conflicting signals about his position. The White House has said the president would support the bill if it includes conservative changes along the lines Hatch wants. But those demands may be non-starters for Democrats.